WEBVTT MEGAN: BROTHERS RICK AND TOM MCAULEY CAN ALWAYS TALK SHOP AROUND THE FIRE HOUSE. TOM’S A CAREER FIRE FIGHTER AT STATION EIGHT IN ELLICOTT CITY. BOTH BROTHERS WERE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS. THAT SPIRIT OF VOLUNTEERING IS A FAMILY AFFAIR, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS. >> IT HAS PULLED OUR FAMILY TOGETHER MEGAN: RICK STARTED VOLUNTEERING WITH THE ORGANIZATION IN THE 1996. IT’S NOW A FAMILY TRADITION. HIS SON ALLEN IS A COMMITED VOLUNTEER. THERE’S HIS BROTHER, TOM. TOM’S WIFE ANNA. TOM HAS A SON AND DAUGHTER. MEGAN: THE LIST GOES ON. >> TRYING TO TELL YOU HOW MANY FAMILY MEMBERS. MEGAN: RICK MET HIS WIFE DURING THE GAMES. SHE IS THE CHEERLEADING COACH. THEIR LOVE FOR THE EACH OTHER AND THE ATHLETES LEAD TO A PROPOSAL DURING THE GAMES TWO YEARS AGO. >> WHEN I PROPOSED, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO BE THERE AND WERE GLAD THEY WERE THERE. WE DID IT IN FRONT OF THE ATHLETES. MEGAN: IT MAKES SENSE. THEY ARE ALWAYS THERE FOR THE ATHLETES. FROM SUMMER TO WINTE THEIR VOLUNTEER EFFORTS NEVER STOP. THEY HAVE 700 VOLUNTEERS. THAT MAY SEEM LIKE A LOT, BUT THEY ALWAYS NEED MORE. >> FROM BEING THERE, FROM OFFICIATING, TO COACHING, TO EVEN BE THERE TO JUST CHEER US ON AS AN ATHLETE, I FIND THAT REALLY COOL. MEGA AS FOR THE MCAULEY’S, THEY ARE ALL IN. THE SAY VOLUNTEERING IS REWARDING BOTH AS A FAMILY, AND ON A PERSONAL LEVEL. THE SATISFACTION OF KNOWING I HAVE HELPED DO SOMETHING AND I WILL

This weekend, 1,500 athletes from across the state will compete in Towson in the Special Olympics.Hosting the event takes a lot of work from many people. One family is making a difference by volunteering. Brothers Rick and Tom McAuley were both volunteer firefighters and Tom is a career firefighter at Station 8 in Ellicott City. They said the spirit of volunteering is a family affair, especially when it comes to the Special Olympics. "It has pulled our family together," Rick McAuley said. Rick started volunteering with the organization in 1996. Now, his son Allen is a committed volunteer, along with his brother Tom and Tom's wife, Anna. Tom and Anna's children, Ben and Chrissy, are also volunteers. And the list goes on. Rick met his wife Anna through the Special Olympics. She is a volunteer cheerleading coach. Rick proposed to her during the games two years ago. "When I proposed, the number of people who wanted to be there -- we're glad they were there," Rick said. "We did it in front of the athletes and the athletes were there." It makes sense because the mcAuleys are always there for the athletes. From summer to winter, the family's volunteer efforts never stop. Special Olympics needs volunteers year-round. There are 700 volunteers for the Summer Games and the organization says it always neesd more. "From being there, from officiating to coaching, to even be there to just cheer us on," said Adam Hays, a Special Olympics athlete. "As an athlete, I find that really cool." The McAuleys say volunteering is rewarding, both as a family and on a personal level. "The satisfaction of knowing that I helped do something and I will be remembered for something makes it all worth it," Rick McAuley said.Also on WBALTV.com:

TOWSON, Md. —

This weekend, 1,500 athletes from across the state will compete in Towson in the Special Olympics.

Hosting the event takes a lot of work from many people. One family is making a difference by volunteering.

Advertisement

Brothers Rick and Tom McAuley were both volunteer firefighters and Tom is a career firefighter at Station 8 in Ellicott City. They said the spirit of volunteering is a family affair, especially when it comes to the Special Olympics.

"It has pulled our family together," Rick McAuley said.

Rick started volunteering with the organization in 1996. Now, his son Allen is a committed volunteer, along with his brother Tom and Tom's wife, Anna. Tom and Anna's children, Ben and Chrissy, are also volunteers.

And the list goes on. Rick met his wife Anna through the Special Olympics. She is a volunteer cheerleading coach. Rick proposed to her during the games two years ago.

"When I proposed, the number of people who wanted to be there -- we're glad they were there," Rick said. "We did it in front of the athletes and the athletes were there."

It makes sense because the mcAuleys are always there for the athletes. From summer to winter, the family's volunteer efforts never stop.

Special Olympics needs volunteers year-round. There are 700 volunteers for the Summer Games and the organization says it always neesd more.

"From being there, from officiating to coaching, to even be there to just cheer us on," said Adam Hays, a Special Olympics athlete. "As an athlete, I find that really cool."

The McAuleys say volunteering is rewarding, both as a family and on a personal level.

"The satisfaction of knowing that I helped do something and I will be remembered for something makes it all worth it," Rick McAuley said.